OUR HISTORY

Our History

Lifeline Farm Inc. began in 1978 in Victor, Montana by a group of young men and women who wished to grow nutritious, organic and biodynamic foods to nourish people in their community and throughout the US. Originally, Lifeline grew field-scale vegetable crops, selling vegetables in Montana and on the West Coast, off the farm and operating a market stand.

The dairy was added in 1984 in order to diversify the operation but also to provide a source of on-farm fertility. In 2004, the farm was split into two distinct parts, Lifeline Farm Inc. and Lifeline Produce. Steve Elliot and Luci Breiger manage the produce; growing vegetables, herbs and flowers as well as caring for around 20 sheep and selling their lambs.

Ernie Harvey and his wife Jennifer Day Holmes own Lifeline Farm Inc. which is comprised of a herd of about 400 Brown Swiss and Swiss cross cows, bulls, calves as well as a farrow to finish whey-fed pork operation and some laying hens. Long revered by the Swiss as an excellent, dual-purpose breed, the Brown Swiss produce rich milk, which is bottled at a farmstead creamery as well as made into fine cheeses and cultured butter. The steer calves are raised on grass to produce delicious beef, which is sold throughout Montana.

The whey-fed pork is sold as roasters, whole and half hogs and under the Lifeline label as various retail cuts and Lifeline organic sausages made from our original recipes.

Starting out milking 40 head of Holstein way back in 1984...

Lifeline Farm is an organic farm in the heart of the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. We believe our quality feed, breeding, and care make the highest quality milk, cheese, and beef products.